BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Telephone customers in the greater Chicago metropolitan area now have more choice when picking telecommunications service for their homes.

Verizon Communications, which serves 857,000 local telephone customers in Illinois, now offers local and long-distance telephone service and high-speed Internet access to some residential customers who live in multi-dwelling units in the greater Chicago metropolitan area.

"Our new residential offering provides customers in the Chicago metropolitan area a much-needed choice for local, long-distance and Internet services," said James R. Hargrave, assistant vice-president of public policy and external affairs for Verizon in Illinois. "Residential customers will enjoy the convenience of getting all their telecommunications services on one bill from Verizon. We welcome the opportunity to compete with other telecommunications companies in the area, including SBC/Ameritech."

In addition to the expanded residential offering, next month Verizon will begin offering other services to small business customers in the greater Chicago metropolitan area.

Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 128.5 million access line equivalents and 28.7 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company with 256,000 employees and approximately $65 billion in annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.